Following deliberation by its Board of Directors, TotalEnergies has decided to appeal the judgment rendered on 25 June 2026 by the Paris Judicial Court in the proceedings brought by certain associations under the French duty of vigilance law.
First, the Company considers, in line with the position taken by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in these proceedings, that climate change, as a global phenomenon, does not fall within the scope of the duty of vigilance law. The Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that climate change is a worldwide phenomenon which is “a matter for everyone, but essentially a responsibility of the international community of States”.
Second, the duty of vigilance law is intended to drive responsible corporate behaviour with respect to risks of harm resulting from companies’ own activities, those of their subsidiaries and those of their suppliers and subcontractors but does not encompass their clients’ activities over which companies do not have control. TotalEnergies does not decide whether a motorist chooses to drive a petrol-powered vehicle, use biodiesel, or drive an electric vehicle. However, TotalEnergies seeks to ensure that motorists have access to the energy they choose to use.
Imposing companies in energy, defense, aeronautics, or automotive sectors to control risks resulting from the use of their products by their customers does not appear to be consistent with the objectives of the law, or the principles of legal certainty and freedom to conduct business. In this respect, it should be noted that the European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) does not include customers’ activities within its scope.
The Company will advance these arguments before the Paris Court of Appeal.
Source: TotalEnergies
